Planting mechanism



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c. E. WHITE PLANTING MEGHANISM Filed March 22?.` 1918 v2 Sheets-Sheet l 'Aug ci. 21 132-1,a 1,512,256

c. E. WHITE PLANTING MECHANI SM I Filed March 22, 1918 2 Sheets-Shea. 2

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Patented @et 2l, 1924.

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CHARLES E. VHI'IE, 0F MOLINE, ILLINOES, ASSIGNOR TOV DEERE & COMPANY, 0F MOLINE, lLLINOlS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PLANTING MECHANISM.

Application filed March 22, 1918. Serial No. 224,057.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, CHARLns E. lvl-UTE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moline, in the county of `Rock island and State of Illinois7 have invented certain new and useful improvements in Planting Mech- Y anisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. l

This invention relates to improvements'in seed-planting implements, particularly iinprovements in a machine of the class in which each is adapted for use in planting seeds of one sort as corn, and, alternatively for planting seeds of a materially different class as cottonseed.

The object of the invention is to provide a framework and supporting devices of such nature that they will be adapted to combine parts of either of two sets/one intended for planting seeds of one of the sorts referred to, and the other adapted for planting seeds of the other sort.

Fig. l is a top plan view of a seed receptacle and delivering mechanism for planting cottonseed.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the vertical line 3 3, Fig. l.

Fig, 3 is a central vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. l.

Fig. 4lis a plan view of the receptacle when provided with a corn delivering mechanism,

Fig. 5 is a central section on the line 5-5, Fig. Ll.

Figs, 6 and 7 are sectional views of the reversible plate support. l

The operative parts of the seeding mechanism may be combined with anysuitahle framework and may receive power from any suitable driver. As shown a frame is inc icated as having side sills l., l and one or more cross arms 2. At a crossbar is positioned at an inclination to the longitudinal lines of the machine. lt is detachably secured to the side sills of the main frame by' holders 3l, these having hooks 32 at the lower ends and threads at their upper ends provided with nuts. 3i is a cap bar secured to bar 30 for holding the driving shaftv in place. indicates a base structure carried by or formed witl'rthe crossbar 30. At 36 it is shouldered to provide a narrow horizontal wall to support a gear ring `38, and a short vertical Wall to center the ring. 37

a holding plate to hold down the gear ring. 39 are teeth or lugs extending upward from the gear ring to drive the seed plate, the latter having downwardly extending drive lugs 4l. The frame 37 is fastened in position by the center pin or bolt 91.

i8 indicates a shaft for transmitting power from the prime driver to the gear ring. is a pinion on shaft 48 and meshing with the teeth on the gear ring- 38. The shaft eX- tends some distance to the rear of this pinion f 50 and carries wheel 51, of peculiar shape, for a purpose to be described.

The seed can 62 in order to attain a number of novel purposes is secured to the devices at its lower end, in a way diflt'eringY from that followed in fastening the ordinary planter cans or hoppers in position. It is fitted tightly to the hase structure 35 and provides, normally, an open cylindrical chamber extending continuously from the plane of its loottomto the planeof its top.

In the open bottom portion of this cylindrical chamber there vcan be seated either of several interchangeable bottom-closing and seed delivering devices. 'l

`l-ach of these devices comprises a rotary element either plate-like or ring-like in form.V

For seeds which carry lint-like lilaments, such ascottonseed, provide a delivering plate such as indicated as an entirety, by 80. For seeds which are lintless and have smooth hard surfaces, such as corn kernels, peanuts or the like, l provide a rotating ring-like plate a0.

In either case this seed delivering element (plate or ring) is supported independently of the can or hopper, at the center of the base structure, and is held by vertically positioned centrally arrangedfastening devices extending upward from the base structure. For linty seeds such as cottonseed the plate 80 and the parts rotating therewith extend across an area of relatively long diameter, practically from side to side of the bottom of the cylindrical chamber within the can.

The delivering rings vor plates ,forI the lintle'ss or smoother seeds are considerably .less :in diameter and are provided with super-adjacent devices for guiding the seeds linvvaidly from the outer parts of the can. Y

fis the rotary part 'of' the lintless or smoother seed delivering deviceV should oontact with the support below' it in a relatively high horizontal plane When used to deliver the smaller sorts of seed, such as kaiircorn, 'while when delivering larger seed, such as Indian corn, it should contact with its support in a relatively low horizontal plane, I provide a reversible supporting ring 92 by which this may be accomA plished.

The delivering plate for cottonseed comprises a flat horizontalpart 81 of long diameter and numerous peripheral seed engaging teeth 85, this plate and its teeth being so designed and positioned that there is a body rotating under the entire cylindrical mass of cottonseed. Each of the teeth 85 extends upward and outward, as at 80, and is formed with point at Si' and a bottoni line 88 in a plane somewhat above the horizontal plane of the plate part 8l. This seed delivering device S0 is fastened in posi tion by a capl89, which rests upon the holding plate 37 above referred to. rlfhe cap is fastened by a thumb nut 90 engaging with the central threaded pin or bolt 91., rising centrally from and held firmly by the base structure. At the edge ofthe part 8l there is a downwardly extending peripheral flange 82; at the center there is a flange or hollow boss 83; and at 84 there are drive lugs engaging with the lugs 39 on the gear ring.

vThe peripheral flange 82 of the device S0 rests upon the ring 92, which is flanged at 93; the flanged part fitting in a rebate 94; inthe base structure 35. When supporting the plate 80 the ring 92 may be arranged either as shown in Fig. G or as shown in Fig. 7.

For forcing downward one at a time linty seeds, such as are now being considered, the wheel 51, above mentioned', is utilized. As I have found that this wheel must, for delivering' seeds singly, be much thinner than those heretofore used and yet so mad as to be strong and not liable to rapid wear, l form it of sheet metal.

l have shown the can bottoni or hopper bottom and adjuncts, embodying my iinprovements,in connection with a sety of details of specific nature which, although not claiming them as of my invention l briefiy referto in order that vmy ii'nprovements may be understood.

lWheel 51, above specified, on shaft L18, is positioned vertically and has peculiar peripheral teeth 97 arranged to move through opening 98 in the bottom The size of this opening can be varied by gate 103 .formed of sheet metal, fitted into rebate 09 and held by pins or rivets 100. 101 is a spring, combined with the gate, it bearing against the lip 102, and against a lug 10ft, andtending to push it toward the wheel The gate can be drawn outward bv nut 106 and screw 105, fitting against lip 102. Theedge of plate 103 is inclined as at 1.07,

the inclined edge and the opposing edge atY 108 of the aperture in plate 35, adjacent the picker wheel forming a tapered throatway adapted to permit only one linty seed at a time to pass downward.

109 is a lug on plate 35 acting to assist in separating each seed from its neighbor.

111 is an agitating rod carried by the seeding device 80, and 96 is an inwardly extending projection fastened to the can wall and positioned directly above the plane of teeth S5. i

rEhe mode of operation of the above described devices when linty seed such as cottonseed is being` planted, will be readily understood. lf the can be hlled witri such seed and the machine is moving along the surface of the ground, the power transmitting parts being put into action, the plate 80 with its rotating teeth S5 is rotated under the entire cylindrical mass of eottonseed, and these together with the agitator 111, the seed separating pin 06 and the lug 109 cause the initial]y-interinatted seeds to come finally, one by one, to the teeth of wheel 51, which engages with them and forces them downward. They are pushed one by one through the aperture in the base structure and dropped to the seed chute or guide 63 and from the latter into the furrow made by the opener 64.

lf now it is desired to use the same apparatus (except as to the rotary seed device) for the planting' vof lintless seeds, with smooth hard surfaces, such as corn kernels or peanuts, it can be readily done without changing the base structure or the can support. The vertically positioned centrally arranged fastening devices at 90 and 91 are separated whereupon the wide seed delivering device 80 is released and can be iinmediately removed upward through the top of he can together with its holding cap S0.

Then the supporting ring 92 is arranged as in Fig. o, or as in Fig. 7, depending on the size of the seed to be planted, and the bottoni structure is adapted to receive a seed plate of the character of that at l0, which is placed in position, as shown in Fig. 4. This seed plate A10 is in the form of a ring, of an exterior diameter considerably less than that of the bottom part of the can chamber, and having a rather large central opening. But the bottom of the can is closed and devices for centering the rotary plate and holding it down, and for guiding the seed inward to the cells in this pla-te are provided, the latter consisting of the central element 43 and an outer annular part 414, spaced therefrom to permit the seed to pass between them to the seed plate, both of the elements 13, 414;, being adapted to be held in place by vertically disposed centrally arranged fasteners, the same as, or Vsubstantially similar to those at 90 and'91, above de- Ll l.)

scribed. These parte thus specified, inimely, the seeding ring or plate 40, and the devices at 43, 44, 'for closing the bottoni of the can and holding the seed ring and the seed guide Vfirmly in place can all be inserted into position moving them downwr. d througn the can and 'fastening them to the base structure at their centers, that is 'fastening them to the base structure independently oiE the can or ot any eccentric holding devices.

rhe central plate holding` element or ca) plate 43 may be o'f approximately the same shape as that commonly in use. lt should be rigid with the outer annular part 44, and

"they are preferably cast integral. The outer part comprises an inwardly tapered or curved ring plate 44u and has its inner lower edge iitted snugly against the shoulder 92 ot the rebate termed in the edge ot the support ring 92 when said ring is arranged as shown in Figs. and 7. rllhe can 62 1s formed with a peculiar bead or inwardly projecting annular rib 62a near the bottom of the can by which the internal diameter ot the can at the bead is made less than that at any point above said bead, and the outer or peripheral edge of the ring plate 44a is iitted snugly against this bead. By this construction the cover plate as a whole may readily be removed through the top of the can and is not. interfered with by any ordinary denting or deformation in the shape o't the can which would otherwise interfere with the introduction or removal ot the hard seed mechanism. Furthermore, the can thus assists in forming a `tight bottom for the seed chamber, and to some extent assists in maintaining the parts 43 and 44 in proper position; but the principal agencies for holding the parts last specified are the vertically disposed centrally arranged holding` devices, threaded rod or bolt 91, and the tluunb nut 90. These provide a. rigid attachment to the central part ot the base structure, which binds downward the central holder or cap part 43 and, through the latter, rigidly keeps in proper position the annular seed guiding part 44. Preferably the latter is connected to the central part 43 by integral or rigid bridge arches 45.

Thus these attachments are all held, centrally, by Arigid connection with the base structure, independently ot the 'can' and ot the outer part of the base.

The seed plate or ring 40 is held against vertical displacement and held centrally, though loosely, by the saine. centrally disposed devices. The plate has a tubular box 40 j'ournaled loosely in a downwardly turned hollow bez-z 43a on the underside oit the holder or cap 43. This plate has a lower horizontal flange 40d 'from which extends inwardly and upwardly the inclined wall 4()C and at the top ot the latter there is a narrow horizontal flange 40E, fitting loosely but snugly under the edge part ot the closure and holder or cap element 43. ln the lower flange 40 et the seed plate there are single kernel cells 40h. The plate or ring 40 has driver lugs 41 which engage vwith lugs 39 on the gear ring. The outer annular part 44 swelled. upward/at 44h to provide a hood o ci, ver 'for the projection 96, which is permanently secured to the can and is used when linty seeds are beingplanted. It is also provided with a hood or nover at 44d, beneath which are placed a su1 able cut-ott device 4QF and a knockout ,tor the kernels, the latter being positioned immediately over therpassagewa-y 92", through which the liernels drop downwardly. rind it will be seen that the bottom closing and seed-ring-holding device 43, 44 is so constructed that it tends to guide the seed vinwardly from the receptacle walls through the channel at 40g, and so as to cover the chamber occupied by the uppermost teeth of the-wheel 51, and by the guide web 109, and projection 96.

The operation of' the parts last describen for delivering smooth surface seeds such as corn kernels will be readily understood. ldlhen the machine is moving forward, at the time of planting, the shaft 48 rotated by suitable driving devices, and this, through the pinion 50, causes the gear ring 38 to revolve. This ring in turnv causes the plate or ring 40 to rotate clockwise.

The cells 40b are each Vfilled with a kernel and brought to the drop passage 92h in the plate 92. From the latter it passes through a. corresponding` opening in the base 35 to the chute 63.'

The chute, the furrow-opener and their adjuncts are the same whichever sort of seeds are being planted. The furrowopener 64 is carried by a holder 66, which projects at 67 some distance below the chute (S3. The holder 66 is concave-convex and is carried by the suspendingv or bracing arm m which extends downward trom the main traine. The holder has ears 68 projectingq forward to carry the opener 64. The opener is reversible, having` similarly tapered portions 59 for the upper and the lower ends. lVhilethe apparatus descrilied is more particularly intended tor use in planting cotton seed or corn, it may be used forplanb ing other seeds for which it is adapted, and the claims are to be construed accordingly. i i

lWhat l claim is: .v

'1. ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering` device, having' in combination a base structure a rotary seed plate supported on the base, a holder element above the seed plate and operating to hold the seed plate centered on the base, ver ically disposed centrally arranged devices for fastening the'holder element' to thebase structure,

and, the ring-like device forming aseedv guide above the seed plate and held in position rigidly by the aforesaid vertically disposed centrally arranged fastening devices.

2. ln a plaider` a seed carryingand delivering device, having in combination a base structure, a rotary seed plate detachably supported on the base, a cap-like holder element extending over and covering the central portion of the seed plate, verticallj.' disposed devices arranged centrally relatively to the seed plate and detachably fastening the cap-like element to the base structure. and a ring-like de tice rigid with the cap element and forming the seed guide above the seed plate and detachably held rigidly in position on the base structure by the` aforesaid vertically disposed centrally arranged fastening devices.

3. ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering device, having in combination a base structure, a can vfitted to the base, a rotary seed plate dctachably supported on tbe base and means extending over and covering the central portion oit' the seed plate and operating` to hold it in position., said means comprising a central upper stationary element, vertically disposed centrally arranged devices for securing said upper stationary element directly to the base structure. and non-rotary devices rigidly connected. to and extending` outwardly from said central upper element and detachably engaging with the interior ot the can.

4. ln a planter, a carrying and delivering device, having` in combination a base structure.` a can fitted to the base, a rotary seed plate supported centrally and detachably on the base, and means extendover and covering the central por-ion ot the seed plate and operating to hold it in position and to guide the seeds thereto, said means comprising a central upper stationary element above the seed plate, vertically disposed fastening devices arranged. centrally ot the seed plate tor securing said upper stationary element directly yto the base struc-ture, and non-rotary devices rigid with and extending outward from said upper element, said central upper element and said non-rotary outward extending devices providing a guideway for the seeds above the seed plate, and being detachable independently of the can.

5. ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering device, having in combination Ythe base structure, the can fitted to the base, a relatively small rotary seed plate det-achably supported on the base, and the means for partially covering the seed plate for holding it in position and for Ouiding seeds thereto, said means comprising` a central cap-like element which loosely centers the seed plate and holds it against displacement, centrally arranged devices passing vertically through the seed plate for securing said caprelease like element to the base structure and nonrotary cap-bracing and seed guiding devices extending outward trom the cap-like elet and loosely engaging with the interior or the can.

In a planter, a seed carrying and delivering mechanism, having in combination the base structure, the can secured thereto, the rotary seed plate on the base at the bottom of the can, and the plate-holding and seed guiding devices removable independently oi the can and having a central cap-like element adapted to be secured centrally and rigidly to the base structure by devices passing through the seed plate and to loosely center the seed plate and hold it against displacement.

7. ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering` mechanism, having in combination the base structure, the seed can fitted to the base and having an open interior chamber extending from the base structure to the top ot the can, the rotary seed plate on the base at the bottom of the can, and the devices for centering the plate and guiding the seed, said devices having a central cap-like element adapted to be positioned centrally and fastened rigidly to the base structure and having outward projecting` devices connected therewith which are detachably itted to the inner wall of the seed can.

S. ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering mechanism. having in combination the base structure, the seed can formed with an inwardly projecting bead, the rotary seed plate on the base structure at the bottom of the can, and means for holding the seed plate in position and guiding the seeds thereto, said means comprising a central plate-holding element secured to the base structure by a-holder passing through the seed plate and non-rotary devices extending outward from said plate-holding element and loosely engaging with theV said bead, said plate-holding clement and nonrotary device being removable independently or' the can.

9. lin a planter, a seed carrying and delivering mechanism, having in combination a base structure, a can secured to the base strncture,a rotary seed plate and a stationary plate-holding` and seed guide device, the latter having a non-rotary central cap plate eX- tending over the central portion ofl the seed plate and a peripheral annular element spaced therefrom and detachably fitted to the interior of the can and secured to the base structure by said cap plate.

l0. In a planter, a seed carrying` and delivering mechanism, having in combination a base structure, a can secured to the base structure, a rotary seed plate on the base structure, a stationary annular seed guiding element, detachably fitted to the interior of the can and secured to the base structure by vertically arranged devices at the axis otl the seed plate, and means connected Withsaid annular element for holding the seed plate in centered position.

11. In a planter, a seed carrying and delivering device, having in combination a base structure with a seed escape passage, a can titted to the said base, a rotary seed plate, a cutotl above said passage, and bottomclosing and plate-holding devices comp-rising a central stationary plate, a peripheral canengaging element spaced from said central plate and detachable therewith 'trein the can While the latter remains in vnormal position, and means at thel axis of the seed plate tor securing said peripheral can-engaging elementY to the base structure, said bottoni closing devices being arranged to hold the seed plate centered on the base.

12. In aplanter, a seed carrying and delivering mechanism, having a can, a centrally open base structure secured to the can, means at the axis ot the can tor detachably securing to the base structur a seed discharging plate, for delivering lintless smooth-surfaced seeds, said plate being ot' relatively small diameter, and a detachable non-rotary plate-holding and seed-guiding device, adapted to cover the bottom peripheral part ot the chamber in the can, and to hold the seed plate centered on the base and guide the seed inward from the outer portion of the can to said plate.

13. In a combined corn and cotton planter, a seed carrying and delivering mechanism having in combination a base plate provided With a passage relatively near the center 'for the delivery of corn and a passage at greater distance from the center1 for the delivery ot cotton, the can tittedto the said base and normally enclosing a chamber of substantially uniform Width extending trom the base plate to the top ot the can, a relatively Wide seed plate extending from side to side of the can and fitted on the base plate and positioned to permit cottonseed to pass through the outer' of said passages and to prevent it Jfrom passing through the inner passage, vertically disposed centrally arranged tastening devices extending upward from the base plate to -retain said seed plate in position, said can,

base and central fastening device being adapted, when the relatively large Wheel is detached, to have tted thereto relatively small corn-delivering plate with a superposed plate-holder and seed-guide and means adapted to be operatively connected with either or' said seed plates alone, for driving the same.

14. In a combined corn and cotton planter, a seed carrying and delivering mechanism comprising a base plate, a can secured thereto, said base plate having a vertical passage adjacent to its periphery for the dis charge of cotton seed, a vertically-positioned Wheel for delivering cotton seed and projecting through said passage, a vertical passage in said base plate 'for the discharge ot corn,` said base plate being adapted to de` tachably support independently of the can, either a relatively large rotary cotton seed plate extending across the lower portion ot the can over said corn discharge passage and adapted to deliver seed to the said vertically-positioned Wheel or a relatively small corn delivering plate, togetherI With a plate retainer and seed guide extending from side to side of the can and over said verticallypositioned Wheel and centrally arranged fastening means for holding either of said delivering plates alone on the base plate.

15. A, convertible corn and cotton planter comprising a suitable base having openings for the discharge of cotton seed and corn, respectively, a seed r ceptacle mounted on said base, a seed plate rotating device under said receptacle and adapted to be operatively connected either ivith a delivering` plate tor cotton seed supported by the base and extending over the corn discharge open ing or with a corn seed plate, centrally disposed means 'or holding either ot said plates alone in position on the base, and a cover plate adapted to be detachably secured to said base to cover the cotton seed discharge opening. Y

16. A convertible corn and cotton planter comprising a suitable base having openings for the discharge of cotton seed and corn, respectively, a seed receptacle monnied on said base, a seed plate rotatingdevce under said receptacle` and adapted to be opf eratively connected either Tvith a delivering plate for cotton seed supported by the base and extending over the corn discharge opening or with a corn seed plate, rotating means extending into said seed receptacle at the cotton discharge opening and adapted to Withdraw the cotton seed from said receptacle, centrally disposed means for holding either of said plates alone in position on the base, and a cover plate adapted to be detachably secured to said base to cover the cotton seed discharge opening and said r0- tating means.

v17. A convertible cornA and cotton planter` comprising a suitable base having openings :tor the discharge oit cottonseed and corn, respectively, a seed receptacle mounted on said base, a seed plate rotating device under said receptacle and adapted to be operatively connected either vvith a delivering plate for cotton seed supported by the base and extending over the corn discharge opening, or With a corn seed plate, means adapted to Withdraw the cotton seed from said receptacle, means independent ot the corn seed plate for holding the cotton seed plate in position on the base, and a cover plate fifa adapted to be detachably secured to said base to cover the cotton seed discharge opening and said vertically-positioned wheel.

i8. A convertible corn and cotton planter comprising a suitable base having openings for the discharge of cotton seed and corn, respectively, a seed receptacle mounted on said base, a seed plate rotating device adapt ed to be operatively connected either with a delivering plate tor cotton seed supported by the base and extending over the corn discharge openino, or with a Corn delivering plate, ineans independent of the corn delivering plate ter holding the cotton seed delivering plate in position on the base, and a cover plate adapted to be detachably secured to the base to cover the cotton see-d discharge opening' and serving to hold the corn delivering plate in position on the base.

ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering device having in combination a base structure, a seed receptacle mounted on said base, a rotary seed plate supported on the base, a holder eleinent above the seed plate, a ring-like device Ltorining a seed guide above the seed plate, and ineans independentA ot' the seed receptacle for detachably securing said holder eleinent to the base. y

20. ln a convertible planter, the coinbination with seed delivery devices, of a cani ad -pted to contain the seed and havinOv discharge openings for different kinds ol seed, an annular ineinber projecting inwardly from the lower portion or' the wall of the can, the internal diaineter of said ineinber being less than that of any portion ot the can above it, anda removable cover plate adapted to {itwitliin said annular ineinber.

2l. ln a convertible planter, the eon'ibination with seed delivery devices, oit a can adapted to containA the seed and having discharge openines for ditl'erent kinds of seed, a bead projcfting inwardly frein the lower portion oit the wall ot the can, the internal diameter oit the can at said bead being less than that at any port-ion ot the can above it, and a removable cover plate adapted to lit within said bead.

22. ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering device comprising in combination,

base, a rotary seed plate, ineans interposed between said seed plate and the base and adjustable to varythe height of the seed plat relatively to the base, a cut-orf device cooperating with the seed plate, and ineans for rotating the seed plate.

ln a planter, a seed carrying' and delivering device comprising in combination, a `f ase. an annular ineinber supported by the base, a rotary seed delivering` plate supported by and bearing on the upper surface of said annular ineinber, the latter ineinber being reversible to vary the height of the plate relatively to the base, a cut-oit device cooperating with the seed plate, and means tor rotating the seed plate.

2e, ln a planter, a seed carrying and delivering device comprising in combination,

rebated base, an annular ineinber having a niarginal ilange adapted to lit in the rebate of the base, said ineniber being revers- 'ble to vary the height of its upper surface relatively to the base, a rotary seed deliverplate supported by and bearing on the upper surface olf said ineinber, a cut-'oil' device cooperating with the seed plate, and ineans tor rotating the seed plate.

in testimony whereof, l atliX my signature.

CHARLES E. WHTE. 

